Today is 6 years from day of the founding of the Office of International Affairs at SUSU. We spoke to the head of the Office, Kseniya Yakovets about the OIA’s work, their main goals, and the results of their work.
– How did the Office of International Affairs appear?
– The OIA was created by order of the rector on May 5th, 2011. The tendency of globalization made it necessary for educational institutions to broaden their international cooperation, attract international specialists, and form a multinational student space. This became the goal of the OIA for the last six years. Today is our birthday. We are celebrating 6 years of successful work.
– What areas of work exist in the OIA?
– At this time, the OIA has 6 departments working on attracting international students and teachers, working with grants, entering international ratings, international protocols, organizing scientific raining for pedagogical workers, migration support for foreign citizens, recognition of academic documents, and also the development of international student associations.
– What goals has the OIA set for itself?
– The OIA’s main goal is comprehensive, systematic development and coordination of the university’s international work by establishing and strengthening contacts in the international academic, research, and cultural spaces, promoting the image of South Ural State University abroad, and invigorating the participation of university staff in global research projects.
– What countries does SUSU work with now?
- Our main strategic partner over the course of many years is China. In addition, the university is always broadening its partnership horizons. Cooperative projects in the USA, Finland, and India are being executed.
– How many international students and staff study and work at the university?
– At this time, around 2000 students are studying in all the forms of our educational programs. A branch of the Association of International Students was founded at SUSU. We promote the holidays of different nationalities. Students come to us from all corners of the world: Chili, Iraq, Jordan, Chinese, USA, Sri Lanka, and many more. At this time students from 48 countries study at SUSU and there are 70 research and teaching staff working at the university.
– What are the main results of the office’s work for the last year and the beginning of this one?
– In 2016, staff of the OIA took part in the organization of the biggest event in our region’s research life – the SUSU International Research Council. Chelyabinsk became witness for the first time of such a concentration of world class researchers. We are happy that we made a contribution to the event. In 2016, a new area of work began in the OIA – bringing in international research and teaching staff. The geography of our international students expanded. Since September 2016 we hosted 23 delegations. Among them, a visit by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Iraq which coincided with the annual Arabic Culture Day at SUSU.
